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Corrie David

Welsh morning headlines: News, Covid, sport, weather and roads updates as Mark Drakeford calls for more support for Ukrainians

We have put together a round-up of all the latest news, weather and travel information for Sunday, February 27, that will get you caught up and ready for the day.

It was another night of fighting in Ukraine as Russian troops entered Ukraine's second-largest city and fighting is underway in the streets, Ukrainian authorities have said.

Oleh Sinehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional administration, said Ukrainian forces are fighting Russian troops in the city and asked civilians not to leave their homes.

Read more : Tory MP says Ukrainians fleeing war can apply to pick fruit and veg in the UK in deleted tweet

Russian troops approached Kharkiv, which is located about 12.4 miles (20km) south of the border with Russia, shortly after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.

But until Sunday, they had remained on its outskirts without trying to enter the city, while other forces rolled past, pressing their offensive deeper into Ukraine.

In other news, despite fighting back in the second-half after trailing 17-0, Wales were unable to secure a victory against England at Twickenham.

Wales news headlines

Mark Drakeford says the Home Office needs to do more to support visas for Ukrainians

Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has said the UK will need to "go beyond" its current visa arrangements for those fleeing conflict in Ukraine.

Mr Drakeford seemingly criticised the Home Office over its announcement earlier this week that Ukrainians in the UK will be able to extend or switch their visas.

Mr Drakeford told BBC Breakfast: "There's a slightly grudging spirit in the Home Office's announcement, on simply talking about 'concessions' being made to people who are already here. As the position clarifies, we will need to go beyond that.

"It isn't just the actions themselves, it's the spirit in which they're made that will be important to establish our reputation as a country which - in the face of these enormously disturbing events - is prepared to play our part in responding to those people who are at the very sharpest end of it all."

Mr Drakeford said Wales aimed to be a "nation of sanctuary".

"We've tried to live that out in relation to Syrian refugees and refugees from Afghanistan," he said via video from Carmarthen.

"And we will want to play our part again as the picture unfolds and as we work with other governments across the United Kingdom. In practical terms it means doing everything we can to provide those practical things: accommodation, education (and) healthcare to people who come to resettle and remake their lives in Wales.

"But it's more than just services, it's about an attitude of mind... and that sense of reaching out and welcoming people whose needs are so enormous."

Concern as 96-year-old woman goes missing

96-year-old Rita from Brecon, who has gone missing (Dyfed-Powys Police)

A pensioner has been reported missing from Brecon - and police are desperate to know where she is.

Rita, 96, was last seen at 10.20am on Saturday, February 26.

It is understood she is travelling on foot.

Dyfed-Powys Police are now appealing for information to help to find Rita, who they said might be wearing a fleece jumper with a leaf design. Officers have not given her surname but have released a photograph of her.

They said they were concerned for her welfare.

In a social media appeal, Dyfed-Powys Police said: "Have you seen 96-year-old Rita, from Brecon? We’re concerned for her welfare. She was last seen at 10.20am today (February 26), and may be wearing a fleece jumper with a leaf design. She's thought to be travelling on foot. Do you have info that might help us find her? Please, let us know."

Today's forecast

Sunny intervals ahead of cloud building from the west.

The Met Office said today will be: "Dry with plenty of sunshine in the east throughout the day. More in the way of cloud further west with perhaps the odd spot of rain. Winds easing through the day. Maximum temperature 11 °C."

It added that tonight we could expect, "Cloud increasing through the evening. Largely dry, though outbreaks of rain arriving during the early hours in the far west, where it also stays on the breezy side. Frost free. Minimum temperature 4 °C."

Here is how the roads are affected at 8:30am:

  • A4119 closed in both directions due to police incident between M4 J34 and Castell Mynach Inn

  • B4518 in both directions closed due to flooding between Vaenor Park (Llanidloes ) and Sun Hill (St Harmon).

National news headlines

Ireland closes off its airspace to all Russian planes

Ireland will close off its airspace to all Russian aircraft, as the invasion of Ukraine continues.

On Sunday morning, the Irish Foreign Affairs minister confirmed that Ireland would move to shut off the country's airspace to Russian planes.

He tweeted: "Shocking Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight. Ireland will move to shut off Irish airspace to all Russian aircraft."
Mr Coveney also called on other EU countries to do the same.

Various European countries - including the Czech Republic, Slovenia and the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - have already decided to close their airspace to Russian airlines.

The UK has made a similar decision.

"We encourage other EU partners to do the same," Mr Coveney said.

"We also support new wide-ranging sanctions to be agreed today at EU FAC [Foreign Affairs Council] & new assistance package for Ukraine."

Overnight, Russian troops entered Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv and fighting is under way in the streets, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Russian delegation in Belarus for Ukraine talks, says Kremlin

The Kremlin says a Russian delegation has arrived in the Belarusian city of Homel for talks with Ukrainian officials.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the delegation included military officials and diplomats.

"The Russian delegation is ready for talks, and we are now waiting for the Ukrainians," he said.

However, Ukraine's leader said the country was ready for peace talks with Russia but not in Belarus, which was a staging ground for the invasion.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, and its troops are closing in on the capital, Kyiv, and making significant gains along the country's coast.

A Ukrainian official said street fighting broke out in the country's second-largest city, Kharkiv, on Sunday following a wave of attacks elsewhere targeting airfields and fuel facilities that appeared to mark a new phase of the invasion.

Sport headlines

Biggar disappointed

Wales skipper Dan Biggar was left deflated with Wales' first-half performance against England.

The fly-half was proud of the way Wales fought back in the second half but insisted they had to start matches better after finding themselves 17-0 down.

He said: “As proud as I am of the boys and as happy as I am with the finish, we are pretty disappointed with going 17-0 down,” said the fly-half.

“The breakdown was a killer for us. We gave away a lot of penalties. There were some soft decisions from us. We just couldn’t retain the ball

“Alex Cuthbert, in particular, was excellent in terms of making some breaks and metres, but we just couldn’t back that up with phase on phase and it allowed pressure to release on England and for them to have territory.

“When we kept hold of the ball, we caused England a lot of problems, but we didn’t do that for the first 25 minutes unfortunately.”

Maro Itoje smirk caught on camera after contentious England try

Maro Itoje grins after Alex Dombrandt's try (S4C)

It was the smile that said it all.

Maro Itoje had got away with one and it proved to be such a pivotal moment in Wales’ dramatic 23-19 defeat to England.

The controversial incident happened just two minutes into the second half of the big Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

It was 12-0 to the home side at the time with Marcus Smith having landed four penalties.

Wales had a defensive lineout five metres out. The plan would have been to clear their lines and get upfield.

But Ryan Elias’s throw flew over the back of the lineout and straight into the hands of Alex Dombrandt who gleefully accepted the gift as he produced a fine finish, stretching out to score.

One wondered just what had happened because the ball went way over Adam Beard and there was no player in red coming in to take it infield.

You could see the Welsh players gesticulating about something, with Elias calling on referee Mike Adamson to carry out a TMO check and Beard also making a point.

It wasn’t immediately apparent what the issue was and the incident wasn’t reviewed by the officials, with the try standing.

But after the game, coach Wayne Pivac made his views clear.

He was adamant Beard had been pushed out of the lineout, an offence which should have seen the score ruled out.

"We’re disappointed with the try. Had we had an opportunity to review what happened at the lineout, I don’t think it would have been given," he said.

"(Beard) was chased down the lineout and bumped, which you can't do, but it wasn't picked up and the try stands. It's just unfortunate that it wasn't picked up. But looking at the replay we've seen, there was an offence there."

Those replays do indeed suggest Wales have a case.

They appear to show Maro Itoje putting in a subtle nudge on Beard with his right arm, knocking the Ospreys lock sideways and impeding his jump, resulting in the ball sailing over him.

As the footage rolls on, following Smith’s failed touchline conversion attempt, the cameras pick up another telling moment.

It shows Itoje with a broad smile on his face as he shares a moment with Ellis Genge.

That try gave England a 17-0 lead and although Wales rallied with three touchdowns of their own, they ultimately lost by four points.

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